Ultimate Sicily Guide for First Time Travellers

Sitting off the southern tip of Italy, Sicily offers visitors a rich blend of history and beauty in one stunning Mediterranean island. Here, you’ll find ancient Greek temples, Norman churches with golden mosaics, and towns built in the grand Baroque style, all set against a backdrop of blue seas and volcanic landscapes. The island’s unique mix of cultures is evident everywhere – from the spices in the bustling markets to the varied flavours in Sicilian cooking.

For travellers, Sicily’s attractions deliver unforgettable experiences at every turn.

You can explore Mount Etna’s dramatic slopes, wander through lively coastal towns like Taormina and Cefalù, or discover the incredible ancient ruins at Agrigento and Syracuse.

The food alone is worth the journey, with fresh seafood, creamy cannoli, and local wines that showcase the island’s fertile soil. Whether you’re drawn by history, scenery, or cuisine, Sicily offers a wealth of discoveries that will stay with you long after your visit.

Discover more about this extraordinary island and learn what makes Sicily perfect for first-time visitors to the Mediterranean.

Planning your perfect solo trip to Italy? Find out about our exclusive Sicily tours, ideal for discovering the best attractions in Sicily.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SICILY

First off, when is the best time to visit Italy’s largest Mediterranean island? The answer, of course, is anytime – but here are some seasonal observations on what to enjoy in Sicily.

• Spring – You’ll love Sicily in Springtime. Almond blossom appears early, wildflowers follow, and markets are piled high with new-season produce. Days are comfortably warm, and evenings are pleasantly cool, which makes sightseeing and gentle walks easy to enjoy. During Easter week, you may spot candlelit processions and brass bands in the streets, and the air is thick with the scent of incense.

• Summer – Long, sunny days in Sicily can be hot, though a welcome breeze from the coast provides a cooling respite. Afternoons are for shaded cafés and a dip in the sea. Evenings are lively and sociable, with music in piazzas, fireworks and sagre – traditional Italian food festivals that celebrate everything from pistachios to swordfish. Plan early starts and golden hour visits to must-see attractions if you prefer quieter moments.

• Autumn – Soft light, warm seas, and a leisurely pace define a Sicilian autumn. Vineyards are busy with harvest, and stalls fill with figs and prickly pears. The island’s Baroque towns look especially beautiful in the late afternoon sunshine. Even into November, you can often expect mild, sunny days perfect for exploring.

• Winter – While not beach weather, Sicily is milder than the mainland. You can enjoy clear views, cosy trattorias, and a fully loaded calendar of festive and New Year traditions. Nativity scenes are set up in squares at Christmas time, and the festive season brings costumed people and music to the streets. In early February, Catania honours St Agatha with multiple processions of candle-carrying devotees.

Looking to explore further? Read our guide to the best 10 reasons to visit Italy.

MUST-SEE SICILY ATTRACTIONS

Our Sicily tours are packed with exciting excursions, but there’s so much to see and do on this special island. In your free time, you’ll have the chance to explore at your leisure.

Palermo

Sicily’s bustling capital is a physical reflection of the island’s complex history.

Here, Arab arches compete with Norman palaces, baroque façades, and Art Nouveau curves for your attention. Step inside the Palatine Chapel to discover walls decorated with Byzantine mosaics depicting biblical scenes in exquisite detail. Just outside the city, Monreale Cathedral houses golden mosaics telling the Bible’s creation story. Back in the city centre, lose yourself in the sensory overload of markets like Ballarò and Vucciria, selling sizzling street food, bright citrus fruits and fresh fish.

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Situated on a ridge dotted with ancient olive and almond trees, this UNESCO World Heritage site houses some of the best-preserved ancient Greek Doric temples, including the Temple of Concordia. Bring a hat and water, especially in summer, and use a local guide who can bring the ancient stones to life with stories of the people who once worshipped here.

Taormina and the Teatro Antico

Perched dramatically on a hillside above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is one of Sicily’s most charming towns. Its medieval streets are lined with flowering bougainvillaea on wrought-iron balconies, and offer panoramic views across the terracotta rooftops to the blue waters below. A visit to the world-famous Teatro Antico is a must. Perfectly framing nearby Mount Etna and the sea beyond, this 10,000-seat ancient Greek amphitheatre evokes a sense of awe at its scale and history, and is still used today for a variety of contemporary events.

Mount Etna

Europe’s most active volcano dominates eastern Sicily’s landscape. A visit here offers an otherworldly experience. Cable cars and guided jeep trips carry you over black lava fields towards smoking craters, with wide views across the coast on clear days. The weather can change quickly up here, so an extra layer is a smart idea. Look out for crisp white and elegant red wines grown in the volcanic soils here – a perfect gift. Saluti!

Syracuse and Ortygia

On Sicily’s eastern coast, Syracuse combines ancient Greek heritage with Baroque splendour. The city is famed for two archaeological sites – the impressive Greek theatre and the distinctive Ear of Dionysius cave. At the heart of Syracuse’s historic centre is the island of Ortygia. Accessed by two small bridges, this tiny outcrop charms with narrow medieval streets, a cathedral built within an ancient Greek temple, and beautiful seaside promenades.

Cefalù

This seaside town is both relaxed and full of things to discover. Medieval streets lead to a long sandy beach, and the interior of the Norman cathedral gleams with Byzantine mosaics. For the energetic, a climb up La Rocca is rewarded with breathtaking views over the town and coastline.

Catania

Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city, is built from black volcanic stone at Mount Etna’s base. Known for its vibrant fish market, Baroque architecture, and lively squares, the city features the iconic elephant fountain in Piazza del Duomo.

Trapani and Erice

On the island’s western tip, Trapani stretches between the sea and pale salt pans where you’ll see flamingos feed in the shallow waters.

Boats take visitors to the Egadi Islands to enjoy the clear water. Above Trapani, the medieval town of Erice sits on its mountain perch, and on clear days, the views run for miles. Don’t leave without trying the town’s famous almond pastries, made according to recipes perfected by cloistered nuns centuries ago.

Marsala and Mazara del Vallo

Visit wineries in Marsala to taste the local fortified wine, which ranges from dry to sweet. Nearby Mazara del Vallo has the Kasbah quarter, which features narrow lanes and colourful tiles.

Piazza Armerina

Near Sicily’s centre, Piazza Armerina’s Villa Romana del Casale showcases the world’s best preserved Roman mosaics, including the famous ‘bikini girls’. These ancient artworks, protected for centuries by a mudslide, offer a remarkable glimpse into Roman life through detailed, colourful scenes.

Segesta and Selinunte

These two great archaeological sites offer further insights into ancient Sicily. At Segesta, a perfectly proportioned Doric temple stands in splendid isolation among rolling hills, while the nearby theatre perches on a hillside with views across a green, unspoiled valley. Selinunte houses impressive ancient Greek temples and ruins, dramatically positioned on a coastal plateau where wildflowers bloom among fallen columns in spring.

Baroque gems of the south east

Lovers of baroque architecture will delight in exploring Sicily’s honey-coloured towns rebuilt after the 17th-century earthquake. Noto’s main street unfolds like a theatrical stage set, lined with palaces and leading to a grand cathedral. Ragusa Ibla clings dramatically to a hillside, its churches and palazzi connected by steep staircases and narrow lanes that reward exploration. Modica is famous for its distinctive chocolate, made in an ancient Aztec way that retains a delicate, crystalline texture.

The Aeolian Islands

A day trip to these volcanic islands offers a refreshing change of pace. Ferries from Milazzo take you to Lipari, the largest island. Vulcano offers therapeutic hot springs and black sand, while on the dramatic island of Stromboli, you may see red lava glowing in the volcano’s crater after dark.

Looking for something extra special? Our 8-day Discover Sicily tour includes a host of highlights from Palermo to Taormina.

DISCOVER SICILY’S BEST BEACHES

Sicily offers many beautiful beaches, from golden sand bays to dramatic rocky coves. Here are six of the best places to enjoy the island’s crystal-clear waters.

• San Vito Lo Capo – A sweeping sandy bay edged by rugged peaks and clear, turquoise water. While busy in the summer, a short walk along the beach often finds you a quieter patch.

• Scala dei Turchi – Situated near Agrigento, this beach has white cliffs that look like giant steps leading down to the sea. This pretty spot is a popular photo opportunity.

• Isola Bella – Below Taormina, a small island connects to the mainland by a narrow path of rocks and sand. Pebbles underfoot, clear water at your toes and green slopes above make it a lovely place for a morning dip.

• Mondello – Here, you’ll find soft sand, calm shallows and graceful Art Nouveau villas behind the promenade. It’s the perfect spot after a morning of sightseeing.

• Fontane Bianche—This sandy stretch with shallow water near Syracuse is peaceful and welcoming – a tranquil stop after visiting nearby Ortygia.

• Aeolian beaches – The island of Vulcano has unusual black sand beaches, while Lipari has hidden coves with clear water. The islands show another side of Sicily’s coast.

WALKING SICILY

Sicily rewards walkers and outdoor enthusiasts with varied landscapes and views. On Mount Etna, well-marked paths cross crunchy lava and ash, offering great views across the eastern coastline. The Nebrodi and Madonie parks feature forests, chestnut groves and quiet hill towns that feel a world away from Sicily’s busy towns.

Along the northern coast, Zingaro Nature Reserve threads a path along cliffs past small coves and pale limestone, so bring water and sturdy shoes. In the south east, Vendicari blends dunes, watchtowers and birdlife with peaceful beaches, which you can easily combine with an afternoon in Noto.

Discover our solo walking holidays and see the world from a whole different perspective.

ENJOYING SICILY’S CUISINE

Sicily offers tempting food seemingly around every corner.

In Palermo, seek out street food like arancini (crispy rice balls with fillings), light and savoury panelle fritters, and sfincione (soft pizza topped with onions). Catania is famous for Pasta alla Norma with aubergine and ricotta, while caponata – the traditional sweet-sour aubergine dish with pine nuts and raisins – is popular across the island.

Near the coast, look for grilled swordfish and stuffed sardines. In the west of Sicily, couscous di pesce brings the island’s link to North Africa to the table.

If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss crispy cannoli filled with ricotta, colourful cassata cake, or a summer breakfast of granita with brioche. Modica makes a special chocolate with a slightly crystalline texture that takes well to flavours like cinnamon, chilli or vanilla – sure to become a favourite sweet treat.

Sicily produces excellent wines – try mineral whites from Mount Etna, fruity Nero d’Avola reds, crisp Grillo, or Marsala from famous cellars. Finish with a strong espresso at a café counter, or enjoy a refreshing Spritz before dinner.

SHOPPING AND SOUVENIRS

Finding something lovely to take home from your Sicily trip is easy. Look for colourful Caltagirone-style ceramics with bright designs on bowls and tiles. Taormina and Catania have plenty of pretty pottery, too.

Foodie finds can be great choices to take home – Pantelleria capers, Bronte pistachios, Trapani sea salt, local olive oil, mountain honey or a bottle of Sicilian wine make thoughtful gifts. Markets and small workshops can be great places to shop. Don’t be afraid to ask how pieces are made so you can learn more about their craftsmanship.

WHY A GUIDED SOLO TOUR OF SICILY MAKES SENSE

Sicily has many wonderful places to see, but planning everything yourself can be challenging. The island is actually bigger than you might think, with hill towns and busy city centres that aren’t always easy to navigate alone.

On a Just You tour for solo travellers, you’ll see more places without the stress. You won’t need to drive, figure out bus schedules, or check when attractions are open.

Your Tour Manager handles all the planning, while local guides make historical sites and local food traditions more interesting. You’ll stay in carefully selected, comfortable hotels without paying extra as a single traveller. Meals with the group are friendly and relaxed – there’s no pressure to socialise more than you want. You can join optional activities when they interest you, and you’ll always have free time to explore on your own, too.

READY TO DISCOVER SICILY?

Golden light on the Valley of the Temples. A view of Mount Etna from Taormina’s theatre. The glow of mosaics in Palermo. Waves on Cefalù’s shore. These are the moments that stay with you. As a first-time visitor to Sicily, you’ll find rich history, beautiful scenery, and delicious food wherever you go.

Explore Just You’s Sicily tours for solo travellers, request a brochure or speak to an advisor.